What to expect: SARCAN prepares for reopening with new measures

It’s time to clean out your garage: SARCAN is preparing to reopen to the public in Saskatchewan.

The recycling depots across the province closed March 20 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, bottles and cans have sat dormant in Saskatchewan homes and businesses.

But once the doors open Monday, SARCAN’s manager of communications and culture Sean Homenick says things will look different.

“You’re going to notice a bunch of really important changes. The first thing you’re going to notice is you’re going to be greeted by a recycling guide who’s going to help you through the process,” he said Thursday.

Homenick says the guides will give people the rundown on return options, along with some of their changes.

Patrons can still wait in the lineup, which will be a socially distanced line within the building, but SARCAN is recommending its “Drop and Go” program.

“(It’s) our system to skip the line. Create an online account, tag your bags, drop them off with us then walk out and get paid electronically, or come back and pick up a cheque,” he said. “It’s the quickest and lowest contact way to visit SARCAN.”

In Regina, Crime Stoppers has launched an initiative that will allow people to use the Drop and Go option to donate to the non-profit organization.

If people add the tag “Crime Stoppers” to their returns at the Drop and Go kiosks, the funds will go to the organization.

SARCAN has expanded its cleaning measures and added physical barriers at the chutes and cashier areas.

People won’t have to worry about the $75 cap either. Instead, customers will be capped with cash at the $75 mark or they could choose the cheque option.

There has never been a cap on Drop and Go, according to Homenick.

Recyclers won’t have to sign anything, but they’ll still have to provide their name and phone number to get their deposits back.

When it comes to wait times, Homenick says SARCAN officials aren’t sure just how long it’s going to take on Day 1.

“We actually don’t know what to expect,” he said. “Judging by our Facebook account and our email address and phone lines, we think we’re going to be very popular when we reopen on the 15th.”

SARCAN has never been closed in its more than 30 years in the province. With that, it also has never had to reopen. Homenick says it has been a challenge, but staff have been itching to get back at it.

With all the changes, Homenick says it’s important to be patient with the staff.

“We know things are going to be a bit slower with the physical distancing and the depot capacity,” he said. “Your patience is really appreciated.”

SARCAN reopened its services to the commercial community on June 8, and the response so far has been great, according to Homenick.

“They have done three full trailerloads of just fundraisers and bulk customers in (just over three days). We’ve had an overwhelming response,” he said. “We’re expecting more as bars and restaurants reopen. Those are some of our biggest customers.”

Typically, it takes a week to fill up a full trailerload for SARCAN.